Melbourne

Our first proper airplane trip out of Sydney, to the arty funky grungy moody city of Melbourne. As we were there only for the weekend, as soon as we landed it was one long bar/restaurant crawl. So after checking out the city centre, then lunch by the river, we jumped on one of the many trams over to the local beach to get some rays whilst sipping draft pinot gris (they get through that much of it!). Then we hit China town, and onto the many hidden little bars through-out the city. The following day was spent in the suburb of Fitzroy, especially as we couldn't move far after breakfast. This area is lined with cafes, restaurants, clothes shops and a few old style pubs. Everything you need for a lazy Sunday. On the plane back we could definitely say we 'saw' the city, and brought a few pounds of it back!


One of the many old shopping centres in the city

The city has lots of little alleyways where bars, cafes, and restaurants are hidden

One of the arty bridges going over the river

St Kilda beach.... the bondi of Melbourne

I cool little bar we found, with an old style opium den kind of feel, with chaise lounges and little lighting abound.

A well known vodka bar with a very hospital feel to it

Me drunk in a dodgy alleyway with superman poise.... as you do!

Jude very happily smiley drunk in a more graceful setting!

One of the currently 'in' restaurants that we tried though wasn't massively impressed, but the place was nice, and had good vino

The morning after... The largest fry up in the history of the world. I was able to finish it, though feel queasy every time i see this pic!

An Ozzy pub food great, the Parma. Its a bastardisation of an Italian dish, this one being 3 chicken breasts flattened and fried in breadcrumbs, then a tomato, Parma ham and cheese topping which is then grilled. This came with a separate bowl of chips and salad. Oh, and this is a one person portion!

Sydney Swans V St Kilda

So Jude and thought be should fully embrace the Australian way of life, and there's no better way than to see an Ozzy footy game. Even after i explained to Jude the game for a week, still on the day she thought she was going to a football (soccer) game. But, all you need to know is that we happen to go to one of the best games of the season, a real nail biter, and I'm now officially a Swanny. A link to the rules and the match report are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_rules_football

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/sport/afl/story/0,26547,25867570-5016212,00.html


The game is placed on a cricket pitch, with 18 a side, so they're knackered by the end of it, running roughly 14k each match.

A little excited Jude!